Combined dust collector and drill hole cleaner



April 7, W. F; TERRY ET AL 2,279,186

' COMBINED nuscr; COLLECTOR AND DRILL HOLE CLEANER ori inal Filed June 1, 1940 f 22 9 I I I L za 0* L m M W1 Terry aoaienough Patente d Apr. 7, 1942 I want UNETED STATES PATENT OFFiQE.

oonminnn DUST COLLECTOR AND DRILL HOLE CLEANER Warren Franklin Terry, West Somerville, Mass, and Russell Edward Goodenough, Northfield,

Continuation of application Serial No. 338,436, June 1, 1940. This application January 10, 1941, Serial No. 374,014

' 8 Claims.

mer is used, an unhealthy cloud of dust is pro-.

duced about the drill so that the operator must wear a mask or other device to eliminate the possibility of breathing in the flying stone dust. In addition to this, the flying dust impairsthe vision of the operator and also affects the chiciency of the operator as well as other persons near the drill. Collectors have heretofore been produced using as a basic suction or negative pressure for collecting the dust about the drill, but in most cases such collectors are cumbersome and do not agitate the dust or fine particles as they are formed in the hole at the working end of the drill bit and for this reason do not clean the hole as it is formed. This is especially true after the bit has formed a hole of one or more inches in depth. I

Furthermore, certain known devices are designed for use only with one kind of a drill bit, that is a hollow drill bit, and cannot be used with any other kind, such as a solid drill bit. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to'provide a combined dust collector and hole cleanerwhich does not depend for its eificiency upon one kind of drill bit, but will work equally as well with either a hollow or solid drill bit.

Other collectors of this type are so constructed that the efliciency of their operation depends upon the pressure applied thereto by a tensioning means engaging about the drill bit for holding the collecting hood against the work. It is a further object of this invention to provide a collecting device which may be used with or without any tensioning device and will work equally as well when the collecting hood is spaced from the work a slight distance.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a dust collecting device of this kind wherein the dust agitating medium is formed by the intermittent or pulsating exhaust of air pressure from the pneumatic air hammer.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kind, means whereby only a portion of the exhausted air fromthe hammer is used to agitate the dust, the amount of exhaust air pressure used depending upon the size of the hammer and the amount of air pressure necessary to operate the hammer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device which may be used with either reciprocating 0r rotary drills.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which may be used with any desired fluid pressure such as liquid, air or other gaseous pressure.

A further'object of this invention is to provide a collector which maybe usedv with a pneumatic hammer and the exhaust air from the hammer a suction collector and, agitator which will not only agitate and remove the dust and cuttings but also the atmospheric impurities which arise in the drilling of material other than rock, such as plastics or the like. I I

A further object of this invention is to provide a dust collector and hole cleaner which may be used for vertical, horizontal or oblique drilling.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear. the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrange-' ment of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes,

variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a detail side elevation of a combined dust collecting and drilling hole cleaning device constructed according to an embodiment of this inventiomthe device being shown in applied position on a pneumatic drill which is shown fragmentarily.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the suction hood,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan of the device,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of the air or fluid pressure regulating device.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l0 designates generally a pneumatic hammer which is 4 provided with a pressure cylinder H and a re- 7 provided with a laterally projecting and downwardly directed exhaust outlet l through which the exhausted air from the cylinder I! is adapted to pass to the atmosphere.

A combined suction and pressure hood generally designated as H5 is mounted about the lower end portion of the drill bit 3 and isadapted when in operative position to engage the outer face of the work. The hood I6 comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical body H which at its upper end is provided'with a reduced neck |8 which is formed with a drill receiving opening I3. The opening I8 is coaxial with the axis of the hood and in order to provide a means wherebythe wall of the opening |9 will not'ber come unduly worn by action of the drill bit l3 working therein, we have provided a cylindrical metallic bearing 20, which is mounted within the opening l3. 5 V

The hood I6 is preferably formed of rubber or other yieldable composition material and by providing a metallic bearing in the form of a sleeve bearing 20 within the neck' l8, the recip rocating movement of the drill bit |3 will not materially affect the'slidin'g fit of the bearing or sleeve 20 about the bit. "The sleeve or bear- A drill bit |3 is against the seat 33.

ber generally designated as 34 is mounted in the hood member 3| and is provided with a cylindrical outer body35 which snugly engages within of the cylindrical. supporting member 35 are adapted to engage when member 35 is positioned The cylindrical supporting member 35 on its outer surface is provided with an annular groove 38 and an annular clamping band or ring 38 is tightly disposed about the ing 20 on its'outer surface is provided with an annular groove 2 I and'the sleeve 20 is firmly held within the neck l8 by means of a clamping ring 22 which is adapted to compress the neck l8. In this manner, the sleeve 20 will be held against endwise movement relative to the neck I8.

Thebody I8 is substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of the sleeve 20 so as to thereby form a suction chamber 23 below the neck I8. A right an'gularly disposed and laterally projecting suction nipple 24 is formed integral with the body I1 and communicates atits inner end with the suction chamber 23. The nipple 24 is provided with a bore 25 which is substantially larger in diameter than the bore 28 which communicates with the suction chamber 23 thereby forming an annular shoulder 21 inwardly from the outer end of the nipple 24. A suction connecting member 28 is adaptedto fric-' tionally engage within the bore 25 and'abut against the shoulder 21 and may be tightly held in the bore 25 by means of a clamping band 28a. The connector or coupling 28 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of suction which may be disposed at a point remote from the hammer If]. The nipple 24 at a point inwardly from the outer end thereof is provided with an annular reinforcing bead 29.

The hood "I6 is formed with a frusto-conical extension 30 which extends downwardly from the lower end of the body I! and terminates in a cylindrical hood member 3|. The cylindrical hood member 3| at its'lower end is formed with an annular flange 32 and on the interior thereof, the cylindrical hood member 3| is provided with an annular seat 33. Thetapering construction of the extension '39 of the hood H5 at the bottom thereof causes the air entering-the hood between the flange 32 and the surface of the work, as well as air, dust and cuttings withdrawn from the hole formed by the drill to assume a whirlin'g' movement which rises under the suction from the suction nipple 24. A distributing memporting member will be firmly held within the hood member 3|.

I The flange 32 provides a cushioning means for normally holding the distributing member 34 out of contact with the work, so thatthe distributing member 34 will not be injured by contact with the work.

A drill bit guiding member of substantially smaller diameter-than the supporting member 35 is disposed concentrically of the supporting member 35 and is supported in concentric relation to the supporting member 35 by means of a plurality of radially arranged supporting arms 4| which are formed integral with or welded to the supporting member 35 and the guiding member. 40. The guiding member 40 is bevelled as at 42 on its upper edge, the bevel 4| being directed inwardly and a lower inwardly directed bevel 43 is provided on the lower end of the guiding member 48.

An upwardly and outwardly directed nipple or tubular member 44 is connected to one of the arms 4| and extends outwardly through the frusto-conical hood portion 30 through an opening 45. The arm 4|a to which the nipple 44 is connected is provided with a fluid passage 46 which opens through the lower bevel 43 of the bit guiding member 40. The outer or upper end of thenipple 44 is provided with a plurality of annular ribs 41 and one end of a pressure hose or conduit 48 is clamped about the ribs 41 by means of an annular clamping member 49. The

other or upper end of the conduit 48 is secured in a connector'50 which engages in a reducing bushing 5|. The reducing bushing 5| is threaded into a cylindrical fluid pressure metering member 52. The metering member 52 is provided with a threaded nipple 53 which is threaded into the exhaust member l5. v

The metering member 52 is provided with a fluid outlet port 54 which is of suflicient size so that the desired quantity of fluid from the cylinder Il may be discharged into the atmosphere and-the remaining amount of fluid discharged through. the exhaust member I5 is adapted to pass downwardly through the hose or conduit 48 and be discharged through the fluid passage 46 and about the lower portion of the drill bit l3.

Where the hammer I0 is used in a horizontal position so as to drill a horizontally disposed hole, the hood I6 may be held against the outer face of the work by means of a spring 55 which is disposed loosely about the bit l3 and at its upper end bears against a washer 55a engaging against the underside of the bit rotating member Hi. The lower end of the spring 55 bears against a Washer 55. which is positioned loosely about the bit l3 and engages against the upper end of the neck I 8. The spring 55 will force the rotating member I4 in the direction of the operator l0 and as the drill bit I3 progresses inwardly, the

spring 55 will be compressed so as to thereby hold the hood "3 in contacting relation with the face of the work. Where the hammer I is used in a vertical position, the spring 55 may, if desired, be omitted. With the use of this device, it is not essential that the hood [6 snugly engages at its lower end against the face of the work as the hood may be positioned in slightly spaced relation with respect to the face of the work and still operate in an eflicient manner.

. In Figure is illustrated an air or pressure regulating device not of the fixed type shown in valve member 60 is adapted to be turned so as to permit the discharge of fluid pressure from the drill [0 into the atmosphere. The valve 6| may be connected to a fluid pressure source sov that a liquid'or air under pressure may be discharged through the hose 48 into the hood 16 about the drill bit in such cases as when hood 16 is used with a drill operated with means other than air. In this manner the liquid will be discharged through the passage 46 about the lower portion of the drill bit l3 and into the hole formed by the drill bit. With a construction as shown in Figure 5, the fluid pressure such as air or the like from the hammer l 0 may be initially used during the drilling of the hole with the valve members 60 and 6! cut off and the valve 58 open. Valve 60 may be used as a metering valve and may if desired be turned so as to release a predetermined quantity of air into the atmosphere. The valve arrangement shown in Figure 5 will permit the use of fluid pressure from the drill I0 or fluid pressure from a separate source or both sources simultaneously.

The agitated dust and cuttings will rise in the hole about the drill bit and will be drawn upwardly into the hood 16 by the suction from the connecting member 28. It Will be apparent that where the drill bit I3 is working in a material from which gases will be generated during the drilling of the hole, the suction hood IE will draw out of the hole the gases or fumes as fast as they are generated in the hole which is being drilled.

In the use and operation of this device for drilling a vertical hole, the hammer I0 is held in the usual vertical position and the drill bit l3 disposed against the Work and at the same time the hood l6 may loosely engage against the upper face of the work. The coupling member 28 is adapted to be connected to a source of suction. The drill may be used in the normal manner and as the air or other fluid pressure is exhausted from the hammer II), this fluid pressure will be discharged intermittently or in a pulsating manner through the hose 48 and the passage 46 of the distributing member 34 about the working end of the drill bit I3.

The air or other fluid pressure discharged through the passage 45 will agitate thecuttings and dust as the bit forms the cuttings and dust and this loose material will be removed from the hood l6 and from about the drill bit by the combined action of the positive fluid pressure and the negative pressure or' suction formed in the suction hood It.

A device constructed according to this invention has been placed in actual operation and has been found to be more efficient in efiective elimi-. nation of dust, fumes and gases than devices of this character which have been heretofore availor other similar devices.

able. It has been found from practical experience that the substantially complete elimination of dust around the drill bit and the cleaning of the hole formed by the bit cannot be accomplished by merely the use of suction or negative pressure. This is due to the fact that when the bit forms a hole having a depth of one inch or more, the suction or negative pressure will not pull out the cuttings or dust at the bottom of the hole whereas with a device of the type hereinbefore described, the dust and cuttings are agi tated :by the positive pressure which is of an intermittent character and the agitated dust and cuttings are then withdrawn by the negativ pressure or suction at the hood l5.

It has also been found from practical ex perience that this device will operate efliciently without providing a tight connection between the drill bit and the upper end of the suction hood and without providing a tight fit between the open end of the suction hood and the adjacent face of the work.

Due to the compact structure of the combined dust collector and hole cleaning means hereinbefore described, the device will not impair the vision of the operator in working with the article and by reason of the compact nature, the device can be constructed at a reasonably low cost and will not get out of order because of hard usage.

Furthermore, due to the fact that this device maybe loosely disposed with respect to the drill" bit i3, it will not bind on the bit or become overheated during the operation of the drill. By collecting substantially all of the dust about the drill and drill bit, the operator is able to drill an increased number of holes and by removing the cuttings from the opening substantially as fast as the cuttings are formed, the bit can be used a longer period of time without resharpening, than is possible Without the use of this device or with the devices heretofore available.

With a device of this type, the flying dust, cuttings and atmospheric impurities are confined entirely within the hood l6 so that the operator will notbe injured thereby, and the operator may use the device without wearing protecting glasses What we claim is:

1. As a new article of manufacture a combined dust collecting and agitating hood for drills comprising a yieldable hood member having an open side engageable with the work and a drill bit receiving opening coaxial with said side, a laterally projecting suction nipple carried by said member for connection to a source of suction,

an annular bit guide concentric of said hood member and disposed in the inner portion of the latter, said guide having a downwardly and inwardly directed fluid passage, and means extending from said guide and through said member for connecting said passage to a source of fluid pressure.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a combined dust collecting and agitating hood for drills comprising a hood member having an open side engageable'with the workand a drill bit receiving opening coaxial with said side, a laterally projecting suction nipple carried by said member for connection to a source of suction, an annular sup'porting means and through the wall-of the hood member for connecting said passage to a source of fluid pressure, and means insaid connecting means for regulating theamount of .fluid pressure to said passage. I

3. As a new article of manufactures. combined dust collecting and agitating hood for -drills'comprising acylindrical hood body, a laterally pro,- jecting suction nipple extending from said body, a reduced neck at one end of said-body having a drill bit receiving opening, an enlargedintake member at the other end of said body, said intake member having an annular recess therein'disposed inwardly from an adjacent end' of said intake memberfan' annular supporting member in said recess, a reduced diameter drill bit guide encompassed by said supporting member, and

in said recess, a reduced diameter'drill bit guide .encompassed in spaced relation by said supporting member, radially arranged means securing,

said guide to said supporting member, said guide and securing means having coacting portions providing an inwardly and downwardly directed fluid passage whereby fluid under pressure may be directed downwardly about the lower end of the drill bit from below said guide for agitating the cuttings and dust about the working end of the bit, an upwardly and outwardly extending tube fixed to said guide, opening into said passage and extending outwardly through said intake member, and means connecting said tube to a source of fluid pressure supply including a metering member.

5. As a new article of manufacture a combined dust collecting and agitating hoodfor drills comprising a cylindrical hood body, a laterally projecting suction nipple extending from said body, a reduced neck at one end of said body having a drill bit receiving opening, an enlarged intake member at the other end of said body, said intake member having an annular recess therein disposed inwardly from an adjacent end of said intake member, an annular supporting member in said recess, a reduced diameter drill bit guide encompassed in spaced relation by said supporting member, radially'arranged means securing said guide to said supporting member, said guide and securing means having coacting portionsproviding an inwardly and downwardly directed fluid passage whereby fluid under pressure may be directed downwardly about the lower end of the drill bit, from below said guide for agitating the cuttings and dust about the working end of the bit, an upwardly and outwardly extending tube fixed to said guide and securing means and extending outwardly through said intake member, a flexible hose connected at one end to said tube, and a combined connector and fluid pressure reg- I ulatingmeans at the opposite end of said hose prising a cylindrical hood body, a laterally-projecting suction nipple extending from said body, a reduced neck at oneend of said body having a drill bit receiving opening, an enlarged intake member at the other end of said body, said intake member having an annular recess therein disposed inwardly from-an adjacent end'of said intake member, an annular'suppo'rting member in said recess, a reduced diameter drill bit guide, means securing said guide to said supporting member, said guide having an inwardly and downwardly directed fluid passage, whereby fluid under pressure may be directed downwardly about the drill bit for agitating the cuttings and dust about the working end of thebit, an upwardly and outwardly extending tube fixed to said guide and extending outwardly through said intake member, a flexible hose-connected at one'end to said tube, and a combined connector and fluid pressure regulating means at the opposite end of said hose for communication with a fluid pressure supply, said latter means'including a cylindrical body formed with a reduced opening in a side thereof whereby the fluid pressure in said hose may be partially relieved. U

7. In combination a drill bit, a pneumatic operator therefor having an air exhaust, a hollow hood open at its Outer and inner ends, said hood at its outer end loosely engageable about the bit and at its inner end for bearing against the work, a bearing sleeve for the drill positioned within the hood at the outer terminal portion of the latter, a skeleton structure within the hood and spaced from the inner end of the latter, said structure including a bit guide disposed coaxially with said sleeve, said structure being formed with an airpassage opening at the bottom thereof, exhaust air conducting means connected to said structure, openinginto said passage and extending outwardly through the body of the hood,

. means for coupling said conducting means to the air exhaust of said pneumatic operator, and means for connecting said hood at a point above said structure to a source of suction.

8. In a combined dust collector and drilled hole cleaner having a yieldable hollow hood for positiom'ng at one end against the work, encompassing a reciprocatory drill and having means for establishing communication between the interior thereof and a source of suction; the combination of an annular member mounted in and secured to the inner face of the hood in spaced relation to said end, an annular drill guide encompassed in spaced relation by said member, radially disposed spaced arms for securing said guide to said memher, said guide'and one of said arms being formed with coacting portions to provide an inclined pressure conducting passage directed towards the axis of-the hood inwardly of said guide, a pressure conduit integral with one of said arms, openmg into the intake end of said passage and extending outwardly through the body of said hood, and means for connecting said conduit to a pressure supply.

WARREN FRANKLIN TERRY. RUSSELL EDWARD GOODENOUGH. 

